Training Overview

This postdoctoral training program focuses on critical skills necessary to become an independent researcher in cancer control with a focus on survivorship. The training includes:

Working with faculty from a variety of clinical, basic and social science backgrounds

Personalized mentoring in the conduct of research and professional development

Specialized coursework in research methods and grant writing

Participation in a variety of research seminars and journal clubs

These activities provide ample opportunities for trainees to interact with colleagues and faculty in a range of educational and research-related activities.

Mentoring

A core element of the training program is the opportunity to work closely with a primary mentor, as well as a mentoring committee of approximately 3-5 faculty. In addition to the primary mentor, this committee assists the trainee in defining and working toward his or her professional goals. Applicants are asked to state their specific interests in cancer survivorship upon applying to the program, to assure potential mentors can be identified prior to accepting a trainee into the program.

A list of potential mentors, including their disciplines and research interests, is provided here.

Program Training

Trainees will receive the following training during the fellowship period:

Interdisciplinary Research Experience

Exposure to cancer survivorship issues from a multidisciplinary, translational perspective through coursework, clinical experience and research

Participation in a multidisciplinary research team

Non-M.D. trainees will have the opportunity to collaborate with a clinician to become more familiar with the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients along the trajectory of cancer survivorship

Intensive participation in a mentored research project

Hands-on experience with data analysis, focusing on statistical techniques suited to survivorship research

Ethics & Human Subjects Considerations

Complete certification in the ethical conduct of research in human subjects

The specific nature of a trainee’s research experience will vary according to his or her background, research interests and career goals. The purpose of this program is to give trainees experience in components essential to the success of a clinical researcher. A summary of the trainee core requirements and optional individualized training experiences that a trainee may choose to complete is provided here.

Clinical and Population Translational Sciences (CPTS)

Trainees also have the option to take selected courses or complete a master of science in Clinical and Population Translational Sciences. The Master of Science (MS) Degree in CPTS is co-administered by the Division of Public Health Sciences and the Wake Forest University Translational Science Institute. Faculty members provide expertise and conduct research across the spectrum of basic, clinical, population, and translational research. Formal coursework for the CPTS graduate program emphasizes biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical health services and community research, along with the responsible conduct of research and scientific communication. Students in the CPTS program also participate in a shared course with students in the Molecular Medicine and Translation Science (MMTS) Program to develop an understanding of the spectrum of translational science.

Students in the CPTS program complete one full calendar year of coursework, and complete a thesis project of publishable quality that is closely aligned with the student’s interests and career objectives.

A certificate in Clinical and Translational Sciences is also available to doctoral students, post-doctoral trainees and faculty at Wake Forest University or affiliated institutions.

Admission criteria and procedures for the Wake Forest University (WFU) Graduate School may be found at: http://graduate.wfu.edu. Please be advised that acceptance into the Cancer Prevention & Control Research Training Program does not automatically admit you to the Clinical and Translational Sciences Program or any other graduate program at Wake Forest University. All post-doctoral fellows are required to apply for admittance to graduate programs in which they are interested. Further information about the M.S. and the certificate of the Clinical and Translational Sciences Program is provided at: https://www.phs.wakehealth.edu/public/cptsLearn.cfm.

Elective Coursework

Trainees may also elect to take individual graduate-level courses to assist them in their training experience. The WFU Graduate School offers a wide range of programs and coursework in the biomedical and arts and sciences. Further information on the graduate programs available at Wake Forest University can be found at: http://graduate.wfu.edu/admissions/programs.html.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.